Headline Poem 7/3/14 -- The cycle is complete.

The cycle is complete. 

The sun goes up and five years 

are gone. The vicious cycle has

come undone, finishing 

with an abrupt, traumatic end. 

It is complete. I 

rub my hands, 

washing and rinsing it away. 

We sigh. We drop to our knees. 

Thank God, 

(and everyone else watching over us). 

I don't ask, 'Where the hell have you all been?!' I know it had to happen this way. This not-so-quiet rage

had to rage for us 

to emerge 

  From ashes. 

  From dust. 

From beginning to end, we felt the rip and pull, 

and attempted to bandage each other's wounds -- mostly from slipping on puddles of salt from 

The loss 

Of us. 

and although 

some days had moments of smooth,

they were 

conquered 

and ruled 

by 

an intensity hard to name. A phantom. A ghost. An intruder who lurked,

With purpose we could not see through 

Our anger and hurt. 

We see it now. This horrible, dominant evil guest was really a welcome visitor. 

And yet... 

We've fed it Enough. The cycle is complete. 

We have no more for it to eat. 

I can't explain it other than to say,

although I curse it dead, I am glad it stayed. But. I'm even more glad 

to say goodbye, and send it. 

On its way. 

I feared for a long time, I'd never return. 

But I have. I did. 

Like wheat and wind and whispers, nothing can stay that low. 

I'm not ready to forgive, 

but I am ready. to forget. 

I am choosing to be happy. 

I am choosing to feel peace. 

I am grateful for this. 

The reward is what guides me. I cannot forget that through this we get the gift 

of better versions of ourselves. 

     For us, 

     for our children, 

     and for theirs. 

Amen. I am blessed.